TANGERANG SELATAN — The small ball sped across the table, bounced off the surface, and came back with an equally sharp return. Behind every rally were the courage to try, the perseverance to practice, and the determination to give their best. That was the atmosphere at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC) in Tangerang Selatan, where more than 700 participants gathered to compete in the 2026 Universitas Terbuka National Table Tennis Tournament on August 21–23, 2026.
For three days, UTCC was transformed into a competition arena bringing together participants from various age groups. Organized by Universitas Terbuka (UT), the tournament featured U13, U16, U20, and mixed doubles categories. The diverse categories provided participants with opportunities to hone their skills and gain competitive experience.
It was not merely about who could return the ball the fastest or score the most points. The tournament carried a broader message. Under the motto “Fast, Tough, and Accomplished: Win with True Sportsmanship,” the competition was designed as a space to foster a healthy competitive spirit, sharpen skills, and strengthen friendships among participants.
The enthusiasm reflected in the number of participants also showed that sports remain an important space for young people to grow. For UT, the event was also part of its efforts to provide opportunities for developing potential beyond academic activities.
That spirit was also conveyed by Universitas Terbuka Rector Prof. Dr. Ali Muktiyanto, S.E., M.Si. According to him, sports have the power to bring together people from diverse backgrounds while building a sense of togetherness.
“This activity is not merely about sports and competition, but also serves as an activity that brings us all together. Through sports, we can build togetherness, friendship, a never-give-up spirit, and, of course, sportsmanship,” he said.
If sports provide a space for building character, education remains an essential foundation that should not be neglected. Therefore, UT Vice Rector for Finance, Resources, and General Affairs and Chairman of the UT Table Tennis Association, Dr. Adrian Sutawijaya, S.E., M.Si., reminded participants, particularly students and young people, that athletic achievement and education should go hand in hand.
“Keep training and pursuing achievements as athletes, but do not forget academics. Athletic achievement and education must go hand in hand. With both, the younger generation will have an even stronger foundation for the future,” he said.
Figure 2. One of the participants in the Universitas Terbuka National Table Tennis Tournament.
Support for the tournament also came from the Secretary-General of Komite Olahraga Nasional Indonesia (KONI) of Tangerang Selatan, Irfan Alamsyah, S.E. He appreciated UT’s initiative in providing a competitive platform for athletes and expressed hope that similar activities could continue to be held. Moreover, Tangerang Selatan will become one of the regional sports centers of attention as it has been entrusted with hosting the Pekan Olahraga Provinsi VII Banten (Porprov VII Banten) 2026.
According to Irfan, competitions such as the table tennis tournament play an important role in building a competitive atmosphere while preparing athletes for higher-level competitions. He hoped that the tournament organized by UT could become a platform for discovering potential young athletes while encouraging the sport of table tennis to grow further within the community.
As the matches got underway, competition was intense in every category. Participants were required not only to demonstrate technical ability, but also to maintain consistency and sportsmanship throughout the matches. Each game became an opportunity to gain experience while building relationships and friendships with fellow athletes.
Eventually, the series of matches concluded with the crowning of the winners. In the U13 Boys category, Jovan from Arwana Jaya took first place, while Sabrina from NHI won first place in the U13 Girls category. In the U16 category, Riza F. from Stoni Graci won first place in the Boys category, while Diska from MAN 2 Malang took first place in the Girls category.
The competition continued in the U20 category. Kahfi from Arwana won first place in the U20 Boys category, while Princessa from NN TTC took first place in the U20 Girls category. Meanwhile, the Mixed Team category was won by SIM Sport Lampung, with Arwana Jaya A finishing second, and ONIC B and MH TTC–Kutim A sharing third place.
Ultimately, three days of competition at UTCC left participants with more than just a list of winners. They took home competitive experience, friendship, a never-give-up spirit, and sportsmanship.
Through the 2026 National Table Tennis Tournament, UT once again demonstrated that opportunities for growth can take many forms. In line with SDG 4 on Quality Education and SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-Being, UT continues to promote opportunities for people from diverse backgrounds to learn, grow, and achieve without limits.
